Richard

Survivor

I received a nasty present for my 60th birthday. I was informed that I had stage 4 follicular lymphoma. Wow! Now what do I do? I was referred to a wonderful oncologist, Dr. Stephen Grabelsky, for treatment. Dr. Grabelsky told me that my condition was treatable and suggested that I start chemotherapy. The treatment was no fun but I did go into remission after a few months. Unfortunately, my remission lasted a few years and I was back in treatment again using a new drug. I was then referred to the Sylvester Cancer Center in Miami for a consultation. It was there that I was told I needed a stem cell transplant.

Initially, I was going to have my transplant done in Miami but decided to get a second opinion before starting anything. I went to Houston to the MD Anderson Cancer Center for a second opinion. They agreed I needed the transplant but Medicare did not cover the treatment for my lymphoma type. Quite a shock. Now what? The doctor there suggested I contact Dr. Michael Bishop at the National Institute of Health as he was running clinical trials in the transplant area. I e-mailed Dr. Bishop and he quickly responded to me and I was invited up to the NIH for an initial evaluation. A perfect match donor was identified and I was prepared to spend several months there for the transplant.

Before the NIH accepts you for a study, you have to go through a very rigorous series of physical exams that looks at every nook and cranny of your body. After all of the test results are in, you have a big pow-wow with the doctors to discuss the next step. Well, Dr. Bishop informed me that they were unable to detect any active cancer cells in my body and I should not have the transplant. Wow again.

We returned to Florida in a happy daze as the transplant process has many possible nasty side effects. Dr Bishop consulted with Dr. Grabelsky about future treatments and care and I was home free for now. Just as a time frame, this was about five years out from my initial diagnosis.

I remained in remission for about five years and received another nasty surprise for my 70th birthday. My lymphoma had returned but was caught at a fairly early stage. After four months of treatment, my scans were all clear. That brings us to today. I feel great, am very active and continue to live an active lifestyle. I am over 10 years out from my initial diagnosis.

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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.